Project management can be a messy, complex issue for all involved parties and, likely, the most hair-raising aspect of all is project handover from the EPC (engineering, procurement, construction) contractor to the chemical processor. In the past, this literally involved…
The current economic recession has hit trade show attendance especially hard. A number of events for 2009 have been cancelled, while others are implementing contingencies. Discounted registration fees are common, while at least one event offered to cover attendees…
Michael D. (Mike) Wood becomes business manager for the SOLVAir Products Group of Solvay Chemicals (Houston). Linde North America (Murray Hill, N.J.) names Warren Arenz head of safety, health, environment and quality. Luis Duran is now the business development…
A chemical executive once noted that his firm derives one-third of its income from products that are less than ten years old. Indeed, existing companies thrive and new ones proliferate through innovation and product improvement. They depend on scientists and…
Plant Watch Ineos Technologies wins HDPE license contract in China March 18, 2009 — Ineos Technologies Ltd. (Runcorn, U.K.) has licensed its Innovene S Process for the manufacture of high- and medium-density polyethylene (HDPE and MDPE) to China Petrochemical International…
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; www.noaa.gov) scientists, in a first-of-its-kind report issued today, state that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), chemicals commonly used in commercial goods as flame retardants since the 1970s, are found in all U.S. coastal waters and…
The Dow Chemical Co. (Midland, Mich.; www.dow.com) announced that it has completed its acquisition of Rohm and Haas, following a high-profile legal dispute over Dow's January 23rd decision not to close the deal once the appropriate regulatory approvals were in…
Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany; www.siemens.com/industry) is expanding its industrial portfolio by acquiring Elan Software Systems SA (Toulouse, France), an international software supplier for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. This step will enable Industry Automation…
The specialty chemicals Group Altana AG (Wesel, Germany; www.altana.com) has acquired the high-performance additives business of the Frankfurt based DyStar group effective as of March 30, 2009. The acquired business with annual of sales of about €7.5 million will be…
Invensys Process Systems (IPS; London; www.invensys.com), a global technology, software and consulting firm, today announced that it has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Waha Oil Company, a Libya-based oil producer, to provide comprehensive automation upgrades at the company’s oil…